Central Govt. issues guidelines for clearance of unclaimed abandoned goods kept in FTWZs; Explains that for DTA clearance of such goods, Section 48 of Customs shall strictly be followed and procedure given in Customs Manual shall be adopted 

Central Govt. requires Worn / Used Clothing units in SEZ to export not less than 66.67% i.e. 2/3rd of total annual turnover, to fulfill their export obligations in addition to meeting their NFE obligation; Further, physical export obligation (by volume) of 50% shall also apply with immediate effect 

Central Govt. modifies policy for SEZ units carrying on recycling of plastic scrap or waste; Accordingly, to ensure that plastic reprocessing units in SEZ fulfill their export obligations in addition to meeting their NFE obligation, they shall be required to export not less than 35% of total annual turnover 

Ministry of Commerce & Industry releases list of 66 services as default authorized services in SEZs for purposes of IGST exemption 

Commerce Ministry issues clarification on the definition of ‘SEZ in an existing port or airport’ under Rule 2(zc) of SEZ Rules; States that in an SEZ in a port or airport, manufacture of goods falling in 2 or more sectors, trading or warehousing and rendering of services are permitted, i.e. units may be set up for manufacture of goods and rendering services including trading and warehousing under 2 or more sectors

Ministry of Commerce stipulates that where goods are held by Free Trade and Warehousing Zones (FTWZ) unit in warehouse in SEZ on behalf of foreign supplier, value of these goods would not be part of NFE calculations; However, if goods are purchased by FTWZ unit and sold, value of goods kept in SEZ warehouse will form part of NFE calculation

Ministry of Commerce notifies SEZ (Amendment) Rules, 2017 withdrawing the exclusion of legal & accounting services from scope of ‘professional services’ falling under Rule 76 of SEZ Rules 2006; Said Rule covers services for the purposes of Section 2(z) of SEZ Act, which means such tradable services covered under the General Agreement on Trade in Services annexed as IB to the Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization

Commerce Ministry amends SEZ Rules 2006 to substitute Rule 5A prescribing Infrastructure requirements relating to Information Technology, Bio-Technology, Research and Development Facilities, Fabless Semi-Conductor and Electronic manufacturing services; As per the amendment, such facilities shall ensure 24 hours uninterrupted power supply, reliable connectivity for uninterrupted and secure data transmission, central air-conditioning provision and ready to use, furnished plug and play facility for end users

Commerce Ministry clarifies that SEZ units shall import only prime CRGO Steel for goods to be cleared to DTA subject to fulfillment of all the conditions specified in the Steel Products (Quality Control) Second Order dated March 12, 2012

Ministry of Commerce requires National Security Clearance from Ministry of Home Affairs for setting up of SEZs; Proposals of foreign investment from countries of concern (contextual) in following areas require more due diligence in threat assessment - (a) Areas in vicinity of within 50 kms from LoC / LAC / International Border, and (b) Areas in the proximity of nuclear, space, defence installations or installations notified under Official Secrets Act